The sole goal was scored by Argentine winger Angel Di Maria in the 53rd minute as Real finally beat their inspired Ivan Kelava who produced a string of fine saves in Dinamo's goal.

Dinamo, playing in the Champions League for the first timesince the 1999-2000 campaign, were not overawed by Real and nearly scored in the second minute when Milan Badelj volleyedover from a corner.

Cristiano Ronaldo spurned a good chance a minute later,shooting wide of the far post from 10 metres when he had only the 6-foot-5 Kelava to beat.

Karim Benzema then twice went close for Real, his first shot from a tight angle shaving the woodwork before Kelava kept Dinamo on level terms with a brilliant double save.

The keeper parried a Di Maria effort from close range andalso kept out the rebound, a volley by Mesut Ozil, with a superbreflex stop.

Ante Rukavina almost gave Dinamo the lead against the run of play when he shot straight at keeper Iker Casillas after he wasput clean through by a defence-splitting pass down the middle.

Real pinned back the home side after the restart and gained their reward when Di Maria rifled in a left-foot shot from 12 metres after a well-worked move across the edge of the penalty box.

Ronaldo forced another excellent save from Kelava a minute later, the keeper pushing a crisp low shot around the postbefore also denying Di Maria.

Kelava then rescued Dinamo yet again by saving Benzema's shot with his feet before keeping out a stinging Sergio Ramoseffort from 18 metres.

Dinamo piled on the pressure in the closing stages and were almost caught on the break when Ronaldo took a long ball in hisstride and forced another stop from Kelava.

Real coach Jose Mourinho, banned from the touchline, watched the game from high up in the stands.

Dinamo will next play away to Lyon on September 27.